The Spanish Ministry of Defence has announced that it has purchased 18 Airbus C295 transport aircraft to replace the CN235 and C212 aircraft used for pilot and paratrooper training within the Spanish Air and Space Force. The procurement aims to strengthen Spain’s existing C295 fleet and ensure full interoperability between fleets.
Objective: Fleet Commonality and Operational Efficiency
The main objective of the programme is to achieve maximum logistical and operational commonality with the C295 aircraft already in Spain’s inventory. With the new acquisition, the Spanish Air and Space Force’s C295 fleet will reach a total of 46 aircraft used in transport, maritime patrol and surveillance missions.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, made the following statement regarding the agreement:
“This order reaffirms Spain’s commitment to the C295. At the same time, it strengthens national strategic autonomy and sovereignty, while supporting the development of the Spanish aerospace industry and the entire industrial ecosystem.”
Operational Capabilities of the C295
Airbus C295 aircraft in the transport configuration can:
- Carry 70 soldiers or 50 paratroopers,
- Take off and land from unprepared runways,
- Conduct cargo and airdrop operations,
- Be used for medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions.
Deliveries to Be Carried Out in Two Phases
The contract has been planned in two phases in line with the needs of the Spanish Air and Space Force.
First phase:
The first group of C295 aircraft will be allocated to the Military Air Transport School located at Matacán Air Base in Salamanca. These aircraft will be used for training, passenger, paratrooper and cargo transport missions. Currently, these missions are carried out by CN235 aircraft.
- First delivery: 2026
- Final delivery: 2028
Second phase:
The second group of C295 aircraft will be used for manual and automatic parachute drops as well as cargo drop missions. These aircraft will be deployed to the Military Parachute School located at Alcantarilla Air Base in Murcia.
- Deliveries: 2030 – 2032
Integrated Training and Fleet Support Package
Under the agreement, the following will be integrated into the military training centres in Salamanca and Murcia:
- Advanced ground training systems,
- Flight simulators,
- Computer-based training infrastructure,
- Training management software.
In addition, the contract includes a fully integrated fleet support service for the C295 fleet until December 2032, covering:
- Aircraft maintenance,
- Spare parts and logistics management,
- Operational support for training centres.
C295 Holds a Global Leadership Position
To date, the Airbus C295 has received 329 orders from 38 countries and has accumulated more than 710,000 flight hours. One of the world’s most preferred military transport aircraft in its segment, the C295 is produced at Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Seville, Spain.
